Despite seven fewer new homes being permitted in 2021, overall construction activity in the City of Powell remains steady in the eyes of city building inspector Ben Hubbard.  

In 2020, the city issued 23 single family building permits and a total of 406 permits for all projects.

In 2021, the number of single family building permits was down to 16, and the total permits issued for all types of construction in the city was down to 390.

But the dollar valuation of work performed in 2021 was actually higher than 2020. The 390 permitted projects in 2021 had a total valuation of $7,461,000.

The valuation of all projects under permit in 2020 was $7,045,000 — roughly 6% lower — even with seven more single family dwellings.

“That 23 new home permits in 2020 was something of a blip,” said Hubbard.

The numbers of new single family homes permitted in the last six years have been relatively steady: 13 in 2016, 14 in 2017, 13 in 2018, 14 in 2019, 23 in 2020 and 16 in 2021.    

“I would say building activity is on a par with what it has been,” Hubbard said. “I am as busy going here and there to make inspections on permits. And people say they are having a hard time finding help to do the smaller stuff.”